Iranian provinces in the southwest, center and north of the country were hit by floods Sunday following two days of heavy rains, state television said.

In central Lorestan more than two inches (54 millimeters) of rain fell Saturday and Sunday, said Iranian television, which did not report any casualties.

The Iranian Weather Bureau reported nearly three inches (71 millimeters) of rainfalls in the Khuzistan province.

In the Bandar-e-Anzali Caspian harbor, in the northern Ghilan province where 4.5 inches (116 millimeters) of rainfalls were reported, several parts of the city were flooded.

For the past three days, rain and snow have fallen heavily on Iran's plateau and mountainous regions.

These rains put an end to the country's longest drought in 30 years. According to official estimates, Iran's dry spell has caused more than 3.5 billion dollars in damages.

The UN has warned that this year could be catastrophic if international aid is not sent to mitigate the drought's effects. The crisis has driven Iran to accept international aid for only the second time since the 1979 Islamic revolution -- TEHRAN (AFP)